For I Am A Side Character - Zetro Translation

She watched him dominate a student with just one attack…one single strike to the side was all it took. And from it, John Bishop, a man known for his endurance was thrown like a rag of no conscience.

How is it that a person like that stands to be ranked 4^th?

And why is it that she was feeling a rather uncomfortable feeling below my waist? Her breath was rather turning ragged…rough and heavy…and with it, all her senses were only pointed to his direction.

Without her knowing, she smiled.

“!?” but soon enough, she realized what she was experiencing and she denied it flat.

‘What am I doing?’ she asked herself as she saw that boy walk away with John Bishop.

And for some reason, she could not look away…

What was wrong with her? Why was she always sweating nervously whenever she comes into the training grounds, expecting to find that person walking here…and why is it that she always turns red with rage when she saw him with another woman?

She did not understand and nor did she find time to actually read into her own feelings…she only watched from the side and never acted on anything.

Soon, as that boy left her sights, everything about what she was feeling returned to normal.

“Hey Jessabelle, what’s wrong?” asked Jason as he approached her.

“Hmm, nothing.” she said as she turned to him with a cold gaze.

“…Okay, anyway I was wondering if you had any plans this upcoming break?” he asked.

“No, not really.” she said.

“Really? Great, me and Audrey thought it would be great if you can join us. Audrey said that her family’s guild discovered a new dungeon and they took complete ownership over it. We can come along and discover what’s new in this dungeon over the week. What do you say?” he ask.

“I…Okay. I can come along.” Jessabelle agreed.

***

It doesn’t seem like he has any bad intentions. We’re walking right now in a public place, and from what I can see, he’s rather nervous by this.

I can tell because he keeps turning my way while he leads on with the walk. And not only that, but he keeps fidgeting his fingers…he’s restless to a point that its starting to bother me.

“What did you want to talk about?” I asked.

“…its nothing too complicated…well, maybe it is.” he said. And from his statement, I can tell that he was somewhat indecisive as of this moment.

“…” I waited for him to start the conversation, and soon enough he had enough courage to speak straight.

“D-do you know what the largest religion is that stands atop this very generation?” he asked.

“…Isn’t there only one religion? And isn’t the only figure God himself?” I asked.

“Well in truth yes, but there are other minor religions…people who worship other things besides God.”

“Wait what?” I was confused…but nonetheless, it wasn’t impossible.

“People worship things that gives miracles and its not far-fetched to be lured into those kinds of beliefs. I know a religious group that worships a vase far east outside of this continent. In truth, that vase is nothing but an artifact…and a holy one at that.” he said.

“Okay, but why are you telling me this.”

“…Y-you may have noticed how different I am compared to the other students. From my skin, hair and my uniform. So I hope you don’t mind me sharing something about myself so you can understand why I came to meet with you today.”

“…”

“I was born and raised in the Church and because of it, I grew up highly valuing God’s teachings.

Back then, I only worked through chores and activities in sermons to help the church in anyway I can. Because I was extremely grateful for their kindness. But one day, when I was doing my usual prayer around midday, I was suddenly given a gift that wasn’t from the dungeons. It came from God himself…It was a bright light that shined on my skin and from it, I soon discovered that my body became an artifact itself. Because of this, I was curious about the power brought upon by this blessing…so I used it, and from all of my test, I realized that this was what they called Holy Magic.”

“…”

“Holy magic was rare…it isn’t something as common as Light Magic was, which is another property for Holy Magic. But my body contains Holy Magic rather than Magic itself. It is purely made from Magic tht came from God. It is extremely deadly against the demons and extremely helpful and curing curses…curses like Cursed Artifacts.” from his explanation, John thought that Soril might have been shocked by this since this was a hidden secret to everyone. The only person who knew about this was the priest in the church he was living in and himself.

There was only ever one case of Holy Magic in its purity being used, and that was back in the war. It was used by a woman who was in the same Background as John was. A woman who served the church and was granted the same body of holy magic. And she was named the Holy Saint for her great capability in stopping the demons.

“…” yet to his surprised, Soril was not as shocked as he expected. Soril’s eyes remained observant…calm. It was as if he knew about it beforehand.

“I…I thought you would be surprised by this?” asked John.

“…I am, but I’m more curious about the fact on why you went out of your way to explain this to me. Something that should be top-secret is said to my face. Me…why me John?” asked Soril. As something about his presence changed in John view.

“…I worship God…and he gave me his blessing for a reason. To stop the demons on the next war. That is my calling and nothing else.” he said.

“Really? Good for you…but still you didn’t answer why you approached me.” said Soril.

“Its hard to say but…I had a dream a few days ago…maybe it was more of a vision.”

“A vision?”

“Yes. You see, I heard the calls of an angel’s choir.”

‘…An Angel’s choir?’ thought Soril.

“And from it, they called to me and said that I should meet with you. They sang to me specifically your name. And although I didn’t know what they meant by that, I had to see if something about this was a prophecy or another calling.” as John said his reason, about his dream and whatnot, Soril could only come to one conclusion…Adifer involved herself again.

“That sounds like a neat dream John, but I think its nothing but a dream. I’m sure it means nothing but that.” said Soril.

“But that’s not right. Although my dream didn’t have some concise words of warning or instructions, I believe in that dream. Its not a coincidence that I was given this body from god and a message from those Angels all for it to mean nothing…it has to mean something.”

“I see…if you believe in it that much, what do you want to do?” asked Soril.

“…Do you believe me?” he asked.

“No, not really…” said Soril, but in truth he believes it. Although he believes something about his vision, he simply can’t trust it. he doesn’t know where this trust would lead him yet and most of all, God has yet to interfere via a system message.

‘If God was the one who sent that vision, he should have done the same for me…or at least he should have warned me using the system. For now I can’t trust him, just like how I can’t trust Adifer entirely.’

John looked to Soril with uncertainty.

“…” seeing as how Soril rejected John’s beliefs, John was left with a bit of an uncertainty that made him doubt his dream.

“But if you ever come to some kind of conclusion, like a clear goal, just come to me. I’ll be here to listen on what you have to say.” said Soril.

“R-really!?”

“Yeah, I believe that your body is special. I can tell because you strike me down at the side. Its clearly more potent than just magic.” said Soril.

“Thank you for trusting me, if I do dream up another vision again, I won’t hesitate to come and tell you.” said John.

“Okay.”

“Phew, its great to let that out of my chest. Its been bugging me since about a week ago.”

“So you had that dream for about a week now?” asked Soril.

“Yeah, I was really having a hard time deciding whether or not I should approach you about this. But now since I told you, the stress of it all is finally gone.” said John as he smiled in relief.

***

In the Dojo, Soril found himself sparring yet again with his brother.

And from the looks of it, Soril was now fighting at a more equal grounds in a basic spar.

With no use of magic other than the Ethereal Will of the Dark and the Enlightened Domain of the Dark, Soril was able to keep up Cecil in a head to head fight.

But even so, Cecil was holding back a bit.

“Looks like you’ve improved a lot in just about two months.” said Cecil as he tried to kick Soril in his abdomen.

“Y-yeah, its hard but I’m starting to get used to your moves.” said Soril as he perfectly dodges it.

“Good, then lets kick it up a notch.” and with it, Cecil disappeared from Soril’s sight.

“!?” Soril didn’t even have time ot comprehend his direction….but every fiber of being he had to move, he quickly tried to turn around.

But to it, he got struck at the back and he fell straight to the ground.

“Khk!”

“Haa, looks like you’re a bit slow on your reaction even with the Domain out.”

“That’s unfair…you clearly used the [Steps of the Emissary Ghost] on me. There is now way I can block that kind of speed.” he said.

“Huh, it’s a good thing you noticed that skill, because, that’s the next thing you will be learning.” said Cecil.

“Really?”

“Yeah, so lets get started.” he said.

“Now?” asked Soril.

“Yes now, so get up and wear this artifact in your.”

“What is this? Is it an earplug?” asked Soril.

“Sort of. Let me explain, in using the third basic training, you must understand that there are three things that should incorporate the skill. Speed, Light Steps and Agility. To fully encapsulate the process the artifact known as the [Inverted Plugs] will activate your hearing at a hundred folds.”

“Wait, so you’re saying that this artifact is like a microphone that’s directly put into my ear? How does that help?” asked Soril.

“It helps with your steps. Be lighter than a feather, and fast like the shadow…this is what defines being a ghost.” he said.

“Okay…can you show me a demonstration about it?” asked Soril.

“Sure, put on the Inverted Plugs and watch the difference between a normal step and the steps of the Emissary ghost.”

As Soril puts on the artifact in both ears, without question he instantly ‘felt’ the pressure and sound of a pebble rolling beside his foot. And to it, it was like hearing a boulder crashing down on the mountains.

One single rolling pebble caused enough destruction into his hearing that he immediately started bleeding from his ears.

“Khgaa!!” and to it next, from his pain, he screamed…but that itself was a problem. for from his scream caused even more pain.

[KHGAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!]

“…!!!??” and to it, his own scream echoed in his mind. And with such an expectation from Cecil, he fell to the floor, with a shaking anguish for sound.

“…” Cecil quickly made his way to Soril and took off the artifacts.

From it, he could see the blood drip from the artifacts.

“Haa, sorry about that. We should have left to the actual ‘Silent Room’.” he said.

“Agh…” but Soril could only look to Cecil as a ringing tone was all that he could hear. Pain was plastered on his face. Luckily for him, having the strength of a body above A-rank, his body was capable of withstanding the damages made from the artifact. Still, it hurts like hell.

“Come on, lets get moving.” seeing Soril’s dumb reaction, Cecil took it upon himself to relocate Soril from the Training grounds and into the Silent Room. He simply picked him up like a suitcase and they made their way into the well at the back of the Dojo.

The Silent Room was a Room the size of an entire Basketball court. From it, everything about this room was devoid of noise from a very micro level. From here, Cecil puts down Soril and he started picking up a sack filled with broken glass. From there, he started scatterign those fragments of glass all over the room.

It took about ten minutes but after that, Soril finally got his hearing back and Cecil was done preparing for the stage for Soril’s training.

“Now look, I’m going to demonstrate to you what it means to master the Steps of the Emissary Ghost. Since you already know how loud a simple sound is from the use of an artifact, compared to that, listen to what it means when using the steps of a ghost.” from there, Cecil gestured to Soril to wear back the artifact and as Soril complied, Cecil started his demonstration on the of the Steps of the Emissary ghost. But before he could, he noticed that Soril wasn’t paying attention.

‘Hmm?…I see, he’s starting to experience it.’ thought Cecil as he watched Soril’s reaction to putting on the Inverted Earplugs.

Soril was careful not to make a move that would trigger the artifact…but it was hard. Because right now, he stood in the very room where sound did not exist. Being in this room, you would expect peace and tranquility, but that wasn’t the case for Soril.

The moment he put on the artifact, he quickly experienced the sound he did not expect to listen in.

“…” he had to control his breathing…

Slowly but surely…he did his best, but his best was not enough.

For no matter what he did, he could hear the loud crashes of his blood flowing in his veins…the beating of his heart…the expansion of his lungs…everything inside his body could be heard…

Yet still, he tried his best to remain calm.

And from it, he soon took the initiative.

[Ethereal Will of the Dark.]

From this skill, he calmed his mind. With a will so strong, he was able to withstand the agony of sound coming from all directions.

And seeing his determination, Cecil finally took this chance to demonstrate to Soril just what it meant to carry the steps of a ghost.

And from it, Soril noticed his brother’s reaction.

One step into the glass…with it, it would have sounded like a thousand bullets being fired with his ear being stuck next to the magazine of that gun as it fires.

It would have been an experience just like war.

But to Cecil’s step, Soril didn’t hear any sound whatsoever.

He saw it…

Cecil was stepping on the glass so softly…yet to it, not a shred of noise was made.

*step*

And to it, he took another step again.

And again.

And again..

And again…

Yet to Soril’s wonder, Cecil masterfully took the steps of a ghost.

From here, Cecil then displayed a higher level of stepping. From stepping…into jogging…and from jogging into running and from running, into dashing and from dashing into beyond.

Cecil did not stop moving, yet to each step, not one sound was made or noticed by the artifact.

It came to a point that Soril could no longer see Cecil as he continued dashing on the scattered glass shards on the floor. But he could feel his presence within the room.

Cecil was moving, there was no doubt about it. But how fast was he going at? And how is it, that despite his speed, not a single gust of wind was made from the impact of his step and force.

How? How was it possible?

How was it that it felt like the sound itself was being devoured…winds could not react to his force of movement… as if it all seems like Cecil was no longer here…

Yet soon enough, all of a sudden, Cecil was found standing in the middle of the room with his arms crossed.

“!?” Soril was difinitely shocked by this. As if a ghost suddenly appeared before him.

He gestured to Soril to take off the artifacts. And as Soril did, Cecil stepped forward and grabbed his shoulder.

“So, do you understand the difference now?” asked Cecil.

And in response, Soril could only nod his head in the realization that Cecil might be more than human. He was a monster…maybe more.